WARREN BUDGET Mayor Angelo considers line-item veto for 2003

The mayor said he hasn't used a line-item veto during his time in office.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Saying the plan passed by council creates a budget shortfall, Mayor Hank Angelo is considering a line-item veto of the 2003 budget.
The $27,256,750 general fund budget calls for $742,402 for road resurfacing. That's an increase from the $500,000 the mayor had suggested as an alternative to set aside for resurfacing.
"I didn't sign it," Angelo said of the document.
If the mayor doesn't sign legislation it becomes effective after 10 days.
"I'm considering a line-item veto," Angelo said. "But I would never put employees in a situation where they wouldn't get paid."
He didn't say on what items he's considering the line-item veto.
"I'm thinking about different items," Angelo said.
He said he hasn't exercised a line-item veto during his time in office.
Proposed solution
Although he said he didn't recommend it, Angelo proposed the $500,000 solution for road resurfacing last week after some council members said they wouldn't pass a budget without money allocated for that purpose. The $500,000 he had suggested for road resurfacing came from the administrative support budget.
But his recommended budget didn't include money for resurfacing or for capital projects. Many council members wanted more than the $500,000 allocated for roads and the panel last week increased the amount to $742,402.
"They've created a shortfall in the budget of $742,000," Angelo said. "They've basically passed a $28 million budget with only $27.2 million certified."
Councilman Robert Marchese, D-at large, said the additional $242,402 council wants allocated for road resurfacing also comes from the administrative support budget. Council members already have signed for legislation to allocate the money for road resurfacing, ensuring that's the way the money is spent, Marchese said.
That legislation will come before council next month.
Could have waited
Angelo said council members could have waited until Auditor David Griffing certifies the carryover from this year and allocate that money for the roughly $320,000 for AFSCME and firefighters 2003 raises approved by council Monday. The remainder of the carryover could have been allocated for road resurfacing, the mayor said.
The auditor usually certifies the previous year's carryover by mid-January.
"A budget is a living document. It's not set in concrete," Angelo said. "They can change it Jan. 2 if they want to, but don't pass a budget that's unrealistic."